Monthly Archives: August 2005

Well I’m all packed…again… Tomorrow morning I’ll be making my way back up to Austin, Texas to start off my sophomore year at the University of Texas. It’s going to be so awesome getting to see all of my friends again.

I think this year is going to be a lot different than the last one though. It seems like every time I leave somewhere I always change so much; at least to me… Everything from the way I look at myself, the way others look at me; hell, I don’t even drink anymore…just little things like that… Being an Anthropology major is going to be a big change too. It should be great actually doing something I enjoy. I hope my new living arrangements are going to work out alright. It seems like my new roommate and I are going to get along, but I guess you can never tell until a month or two down the road. Oh well…I’m not too worried about that…

I can’t wait to get back on a bike. After getting all of my stuff back on Monday and picking up my books I’ll be headed straight to the bike shop to start shopping for a new (or used) one. It might take some time to get used to the 100° heat again, but I’ll pull it off.

I don’t know if I’ll have much time in the next few days to update this thing, but I will try my best to keep it alive…

Coming to you next from Austin, Texas,

Daniel Kietzer

So I’ve been in South Texas for around a week and a half now; visiting family and spending some time with my brother. My grandpa’s health is getting better; which is really good. We’ve been playing with his computer a little, and I’ve been teaching him a thing or two about it. Everyone’s always asking “why don’t you work with computers for a living?” And, like before, “because I’d go insane” is always the answer; I’ve got too much potential to sit in front of a computer for the rest of my life…

Me and my brother went kayaking off South Padre Island last Sunday; what a blast. We spent most of the day out there; leaving with tired arms and painful sunburns…but it was totally worth it. If I ever live near water kayaking may eventually push out cycling as my favorite past-time. We went shopping on Monday; Best Buy, Pier 1, and a few other places. I saw an acquaintance from good ol’ Moore-Hill dormitory while we were out…guess it really is a small world after all… I also picked up this cool lamp at Pier 1; should look nice in the dorm room and won’t wake up the roommate on those occasional late nights. Then yesterday we took care of a few odds and ends on his campus, UT-Pan American; that made me even more homesick and ready to get back to Austin (four more days!!!).

I really want to go back to Wichita Falls, TX and visit some old friends. I guess being with my brother brings those feelings back a little bit. I think what I need most of all is a “significant other” in my life now… It just seems like perfect timing for me at the moment; I’m feeling good about myself and from what I hear it seems like I have a lot to offer when I do finally find that special someone. I guess we’ll see soon; because I’m not waiting too much longer… Who is the big question though; do I try and rekindle old feelings or just start new ones altogether? Big decisions…

Leave comments…
Daniel Kietzer

I’m finally back in Texas. It’s really is great to be back; England definitely gets to you after a while. My journey on Monday was mildly miserable. I caught a cold the day before my departure…the timing couldn’t have been worse. My flight to Houston was delayed about 45 minutes; no big deal since I had a five hour layover in Houston anyways. The 777 was nice on the way over here, but after 10 hours in an aluminum can not much can be done to make the experience more enjoyable. The real excitement began when I got into Houston. My 5:00 pm flight to Harlingen was delayed until 8:00…wonderful. But, after 23 hours and a pharmacy’s worth of cold medicine, I finally arrived at my destination. I forgot how hot August is in south Texas. Coming out of the airport was like jumping into a pool of warm water it was so damn humid; and that was 10:00 at night. It’s great to see my brother again; his apartment is always entertaining. A few days ago he picked up a month old kitten in the parking lot of his restaurant. She’ll follow you around everywhere you walk…too cute… We’re going sea kayaking this weekend on South Padre Island; should be really fun too.
I can’t wait to head back to Austin. Today I made some hibiscus iced tea and realized it was missing the tapioca bubbles…

More to come…
Daniel

A few words to describe a book full of thoughts; they just don’t work right sometimes…

What is it about riding a bike that just seems to make things better? Today I took advantage of this rare sunshine we’ve been getting lately and put around thirty miles on the bike. It was a fast one today too; did it all in about an hour and a half. Why do I do it so religiously though? Its not like I’m going pro anytime soon, or even plan on racing at all for that matter; but still at least three, maybe four, times a week I get on that bike and pound those gears. Is it a physical connection? I’ve been into sports my whole life; first it was soccer, then a little track, then a lot more soccer, and now this. I’m competitive and love to keep my body in good condition; its very satisfying to know my avg. speed was Xmph faster than the day before…but I don’t think that’s it. I think that riding is my mental escape; how I vent so to speak… I’ve never been much for expressing my emotions to others; that just isn’t me. I can’t just sit in front of this computer, talk on the phone, or have a face to face conversation with someone and let my inner-most feelings just pour out of me…most of the time that is… So I ride instead. When my mind is about to explode under the pressure I suit up, click in, and blast down the open road as fast as my legs can turn the pedals. Cycling is the perfect example of how something can function, and function very well, while balanced on the edge of disaster. If you don’t believe me, you try screaming downhill at 40mph with only two 1″ by 1″ pieces of rubber keeping you off of the pavement below… It may sound a little strange, but I guess you could say its a confidence boost; if my bike can push the limits of this world then so can I. Afterwards the thoughts in my head seem to just fall into place; once again I’m assured that no task is impossible…and, who knows, maybe that perfect girl is still out there…

Much Love,
Daniel

Not a whole lot to be honest…

I had a good day today for the most part. It was sunny most of the day, which seems to be an unusual occurrence lately in this part of the world. Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to go riding in it today, and I have new bike shorts too that I really want to test out (there’s just something about the way fresh lycra feels on my thighs that gets me all excited…just kidding…)

Paid a visit to the travel agent this afternoon and got my plane tickets back to Texas!!! Thank god I was able to book a flight with Continental instead of Delta. A little advice, if you’re ever flying anywhere DON’T FLY DELTA AIRLINES!!! So I leave England on the 15th at 9:30 in the morning, arrive in Houston around 1:00 in the afternoon, then off to Harlingen (way down south) to spend some time with my brother. Then 2 weeks later it’s AUSTIN TEXAS!!! I talked to a friend of mine this evening; who, if I may say so, is one amazing young woman; and that just got me more excited about going back. There’s just so many things I’m looking forward to doing, so many friends I’m looking forward to seeing, and so many new opportunities just waiting for me to sink my teeth into; the anticipation is killing me.

What else is new… Dr. Atkins filed for bankruptcy… The diet’s bullshit and Americans can officially eat carbs now. God knows what will come next. What’s so difficult about no McDonald’s and a little exercise every once in a while? A loaded question I know…but really: burn more calories than you take in and you loose weight – that simple.

Need to get some sleep now; hope you’ve enjoyed the read…
Daniel